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Free North Dakota Horse Bill of Sale

A North Dakota horse bill of sale is the only ownership document for a private horse transfer in this state. ND does not title horses and does not require state brand inspection at sale, which means the written bill of sale plus a current Coggins are what prove you own the horse. Buyers crossing into ND from MT, SD, or WY should also keep their out-of-state brand-inspection paperwork, since those states do require it on the way out.

North Dakota Requirements: Transfer title within 30 days. 5% Motor Vehicle Excise Tax.

Seller Information

Buyer Information

Horse Details

Sale Information

Condition & Warranty

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Unlike motor vehicles, horses aren't titled by the DMV — making a written bill of sale your primary legal proof of ownership transfer. Our guide explains what a bill of sale must include to be legally binding and enforceable. Read: What Is a Bill of Sale? →

North Dakota Horse Bill of Sale — What You Need to Know

Primary Form
Standard bill of sale
Agency
NDSA
North Dakota Stockmen's Association (brand registry, voluntary)
Primary ID Field
Registration Number
Sales Tax
Exempt
Title Required
No
North Dakota does NOT title horses, and ND does not have a statewide mandatory brand inspection at the point of sale (unlike MT, WY, or SD). The bill of sale is the primary ownership document. The ND Stockmen's Association maintains a voluntary brand registry — if the horse carries a recorded brand, note the brand and the registered owner on the bill of sale to protect against later ownership disputes.
Inspection
Not required

Sales Tax Details

North Dakota does not charge sales tax on private-party livestock sales, and horses sold for breeding, agricultural, or working use are generally exempt from sales tax even from ag dealers. A casual private sale of a horse is not a taxable transaction in ND.

Exemption: Agricultural-use livestock sales are exempt; private-party horse sales are not subject to sales tax.

Inspection Requirements

No mandatory ND brand inspection at sale. However: a current Coggins test (negative EIA within 12 months) is required for any horse moving across state lines, attending shows, sales, or boarding facilities. ND Board of Animal Health requires a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI / health certificate) for horses entering the state from out of state.

North Dakota Horse Sale — Step-by-Step Checklist

  1. Record the horse's registered name, registry (AQHA, APHA, Jockey Club, etc.), registration number, color, markings, sex, and approximate age.
  2. Photograph any brands, freeze marks, or scars and attach the photos to the bill of sale.
  3. Verify a current negative Coggins (EIA test within 12 months) and attach a copy to the bill of sale.
  4. If the horse carries a brand recorded with the ND Stockmen's Association, record the brand and the registered owner on the BOS — and confirm the seller is that registered owner.
  5. For breed-registered horses, complete the registry's transfer paperwork (AQHA transfer report, etc.) at the same time as the BOS — late transfers cost more and create paper-trail gaps.
  6. For interstate moves into ND, obtain a CVI (health certificate) from a licensed vet within 30 days of transport.

Common Pitfalls

  • Buying without a current Coggins — EIA is a fatal, untreatable, communicable disease, and any boarding barn or sale yard will turn the horse away without proof.
  • Skipping the breed-registry transfer because "the papers can come later" — sellers disappear, and an unregistered registered horse is worth a fraction of a properly transferred one.
  • Assuming a brand confirms ownership — ND brands are voluntary and the brand-holder may not be the current legal owner. Always ask for the chain of bills of sale.
  • No written soundness or pre-purchase exam (PPE) on a riding horse — vet PPEs cost a few hundred dollars and routinely reveal issues that change the deal.
  • Crossing state lines into ND without a CVI and getting stopped at a sale or event.

Pro Tip

No state title, no mandatory brand inspection, no sales tax — but no second chances either. A clear bill of sale, a current Coggins, and (for registered horses) a same-day registry transfer are the three documents every ND horse buyer should leave with.

North Dakota Horse Bill of Sale — FAQs

Do I need a brand inspection to sell a horse in North Dakota?
No. Unlike Montana, Wyoming, and South Dakota, North Dakota does not have a mandatory statewide brand inspection at the point of sale or for in-state movement. The ND Stockmen's Association operates a voluntary brand registry that is useful for ownership documentation and theft recovery, but it is not a sale requirement. If the horse came from a brand-inspection state, however, the seller should have an inspection certificate from that state — keep it with your bill of sale as part of the chain of title.
What does a Coggins test prove and why does every barn want it?
The Coggins test detects antibodies to Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA), a fatal viral disease that has no cure or vaccine. A "negative Coggins" within the last 12 months is required by virtually every boarding barn, show, sale yard, and trail-ride operation in ND, and it is required by federal regulation for interstate transport. A horse without a current Coggins is essentially unsellable — even if the price is right, no facility will accept it. Pull a Coggins before listing the horse for sale; results take 1-2 weeks.
What's a CVI and do I need one to bring a horse into North Dakota?
A Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI), often called a health certificate, is issued by an accredited veterinarian within 30 days of transport. It documents the horse's identity, current Coggins, and absence of obvious disease. The ND Board of Animal Health requires a CVI for any horse entering the state, and most other states require one to leave. Cost is typically $50-100. Keep the original with your trailer paperwork; checkpoints and event organizers can ask to see it.
The horse is registered with AQHA — when do I do the registry transfer?
Same day as the bill of sale, ideally. AQHA, APHA, and other breed registries require the seller to sign a transfer report (or sign the back of the registration certificate, depending on the registry). Filing within 30 days is the cheapest tier; after that, fees escalate. Untransferred registered horses are a recurring problem in private sales — the seller intends to send the papers, never does, and the buyer ends up owning a registered horse with no way to prove it. Sign the transfer paperwork at the same kitchen table where you sign the BOS.

Other North Dakota Templates

Vehicle Bill of SaleCar Bill of SaleUsed Car Bill of SaleMotorcycle Bill of SaleBoat Bill of SaleTrailer Bill of SaleATV Bill of SaleGun / Firearm Bill of SaleRV Bill of SaleGeneral Bill of SaleFree Printable Bill of SaleOdometer Disclosure Bill of SaleAs-Is Bill of SaleGift Bill of Sale

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